Dietitian FAQs

Do I need Medical Nutrition Therapy? Our diet, or what we consume as individuals, is one of the most important parts of our existence. Food provides fuel for our bodies and minds to operate and execute. It’s crucial that an individual’s diet consists of the appropriate nutrition that our bodies need to function and thrive. Our diet impacts how we look, how we think, how we move, how we sleep, and how we function. A dietitian works with individuals to ensure that their diet is appropriate for their needs and nutritional standards. What is Medical Nutrition Therapy? Medical Nutrition Therapy, or MNT, is an evidence-based medical approach to treating chronic conditions through an individually tailored nutrition plan. It begins with an assessment from a Registered Dietitian, and then a tailored nutritional plan is prescribed. What is the difference between a Registered Dietitian and a nutritionist? Registered Dietitians are healthcare providers who have undergone intensive training and education in order to provide nutrition services to individuals who are looking for preventative nutrition counseling or medical nutrition therapy. In order to become an RD, an individual must have:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college
• Completed an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program. These programs are typically about 12 months long.
• Passed the exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
• Regularly complete continuing professional educational requirements

A nutritionist, or nutritionist counselor, is not a regulated term and the certificate programs that provide these certifications are not subject to regulatory oversight. The licensure requirements for Registered Dietitians are more rigorous than certificate programs and enforce stricter standards when it comes to ethics, clinical practice, professional liability, education, and supervised training. What can I expect from my first visit? Your first visit will begin with reviewing your completed medical forms, current food intake, health concerns, medical history, dietary supplement use, and talking about what your desired outcomes are. We will work together to create a nutritional plan and follow-up appointments will track your progress from a medical, physical, and emotional perspective to ensure that the individually-tailored nutritional plan is working properly for you, and adjusting as needed. Do you coordinate with other healthcare providers I am seeing? Yes! In order to provide the most comprehensive care possible to our clients, we often communicate directly with other practitioners.  

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